If your life was a movie, would it be worth watching?

While my employment with the Federal government may have been my occupation for 25 years, it was never my avocation. So, on the very first day I was eligible to retire (my 60th birthday), I did. Some well-intentioned friends tried to disuade me—“the economy is not doing well,” they reminded me, “and if you stay a few more years, you will have a bigger pension.” But I was convinced there was a better use of my waning years.  I knew God was re-writing the Script.

I thought of the dramatic, action-filled life of David, who died full of years, confident he had done everything God called him to do—a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22). I thought of the suffering and triumph of Paul, who in his last years, said “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful” (2 Tim 4:6 NLT).

Every day of our lives on earth, God has a plan, a script.  Though I am currently investing my time in the lives of my students, I know it is not the final Script.  No doubt there are many new adventures ahead of me. May I remind us all that as we look at the life choices ahead of us that we remember the Jesus is not only the author but the finisher of our life of faith (Heb. 12:2)?  He has already written the Script.  But one day, time will run out, and your life will "flash" before your eyes.  Will it be worth watching?

How do You See the World?

When you go to Disneyland where do you spend most of your time? There is Jungle Land, Adventure Land, Fantasy Land, and Tomorrow Land, etc. I am not sure if Walt was intentional about this, but these “lands” represent the disparate lenses through which people see the world. Some see it as a jungle; other as a place of adventure; others a place to explore; others as a realm of fanciful enchantment! The noteworthy point is this: the way we view the world affects the way we live.

A century ago when Christian teaching prevailed, men saw the world as a battleground. They believed in the devil and hell, and they believed in God and Heaven—the two always in conflict. But over the last 50 years, American culture has changed our world view. Men no longer think of the world in such ‘negative’ terms, but as a place to explore, find adventure, and enjoy life--a playground!

In 1960, A. W. Tozer warned that this “playground” theme was being increasingly embraced by evangelical Christians. Was he right? Fifty years later, our churches have become culturally-sensitive, consumer-driven, customer-friendly places, whose aim seems to be more about helping people get the most out of life on earth than preparation for the next.

It is true the Christian walk is an adventure, and that we are called to explore the depths of God. And it is not necessarily wrong to use our imagination to reflect on life in heaven with Jesus. But I am compelled today to remind us not to get caught up in the world of self-exploration and self-actualization. While we are here on earth, we are living in a battle zone, and must ever be on our guard against Satan’s schemes. So much depends upon this that we cannot afford to forget it.